SUGGESTIONS FOR BUILDING ASSETS

Asset # 16- High Expectations

(Parents and teachers push young people to reach their full potential)

To Build Asset # 16 Parents and Extended Family Can . . .

* Let your child know your expectations in concrete terms. Reward their achievements with concrete rewards. Example: have a skating party when your child meets his or her goals for good grades.

* Expose children to the world, careers, colleges and courses. Create dreams. Talk about how dreams and opportunities relate to your expectations for their work ethic right now.

* Reinforce the notion that your children are both smart and hard working. Expect hard work, but not perfection. Notice their hard work when it is given.

* Talk about expectations in regular conversations with your children. Comment on different expectations others have, of themselves, your children, and others. Make it a natural thing to notice and comment on.

* Discuss your standards with your children's teachers and friends' parents. Encourage your child to challenge standards others might set for him or her.

* Display your children's work in your home. Show your pride in their work done well.

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41% of youth surveyed by Search Institute have this asset in their lives.*

*Based on Search Institute surveys of almost 100,000 6th to 12th grade youth throughout the United States

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Why is Asset #16 important?

It is widely known that when kids who are expected to do well unexpectedly fail, they tend to explain the failure as "I didn't work hard enough." Their typical response to another "try" will be to work harder.
However, kids who are expected to do poorly and fail, they tend to explain the failure as "I don't have the ability to do it." Their next attempt will result in less effort and they usually do fail again.
What do you expect out of your kids?